Swarm and Sting
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Charlotte Hornets face the Indiana Pacers in their final game of the season

By Elijah Edwards

Charlotte Hornets Kemba Walker (Photo by Kent Smith/NBAE via Getty Images)
Charlotte Hornets Kemba Walker (Photo by Kent Smith/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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The Charlotte Hornets’ season comes to a close tonight. Although most fans are disappointed by the result, there is still one game left in which to cheer the team on. It won’t be easy-going, however, as the Hornets travel to Indiana to take on the Pacers.

Well, here we are. The last game of the season is upon us. Nearly seven months ago, most fans believed the Charlotte Hornets (35-46) would be in playoff contention. Sadly, that never came to fruition. Outside of Kemba Walker‘s second straight All-Star appearance and becoming the franchise’s all-time leading scorer, Dwight Howard‘s near-nightly double-doubles, and Malik Monk‘s recent ascendance, there hasn’t been much to celebrate.

Alas, there’s no use crying over spilled milk, is there? It’s best to look forward to next season and hope a new GM and subsequent roster changes help get the team back to the postseason.

There is one game left, however, and it’ll be a challenge as they hit the road to face off against the Indiana Pacers (48-33). This will be the fourth game in the series versus the Pacers. Indiana has won two out of the first three. This will be their second straight game against the Pacers. Their last game ended with the Pacers winning 123-117.

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Charlotte Hornets at Indiana Pacers
7:00 p.m. EST, Tuesday, April 10th, 2018
Bankers Life Fieldhouse
Fox Sports Southeast

Injury Report:

CHA:

Dwayne Bacon – Ankle (Game-Time Decision)
Michael Carter-Williams – Shoulder (Out)
Treveon Graham – Concussion (Game-Time Decision)
Cody Zeller – Knee (Out)

IND:

None

Things to keep an eye on:

Being the last game of the year with nothing much else to play for, the reserves might see extended minutes. That means more time for Malik Monk to possibly set a new career best in points. This will most likely be the last game in a Hornets uniform for any number of players, though it’s obviously too early to tell who those players will actually be. Here’s hoping Kemba isn’t among them, but you never know. This also could be Steve Clifford’s last game as coach of the Hornets. Take that as you will.

Keys to the game:

Victor Oladipo is averaging 29 points a game against the Hornets this season. If the starters do play their regular minutes (which I doubt, due to rest), then he’ll most likely keep to form. The best thing to do is try to limit what the other players around him do. For instance, you can’t let Domantas Sabonis go off for 30 points and 8 rebounds, as he did just two days ago. As usual for this season, the Hornets are a better rebounding team than their opponent, with Charlotte being 3rd in the league in total rebounds. Indiana, on the contrary, is 22nd, due in part to their high shooting percentage, good for 6th in the NBA. Crash the boards on the defensive end when they do miss to limit second-chance points.

Next: Re-picking the Hornets last five drafts

Missing the playoffs for the second straight year definitely stings, but one mustn’t give up on a team. They played hard, dealt with injuries, and at times, gave us some exciting basketball. Here’s hoping the team can end the year on the right note with a win Tuesday night in Indiana.

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